Detachable strap and clasp for use therewith



Sept. 25, 1951 J. CARROLL, JR 2,568,845

DETACHABLE STRAP AND CLASP FOR USE THEREWITH Filed July 7, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. (752212 Caz-r022 Jar,

MW mww Sept. 25, 1951 J. CARROLL, JR 2,568,845

DETACHABLE STRAP AND CLASP FOR USE THEREWITH Filed July 7, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

0292212. Chi-r022 (.75:-

MCI-M Manly Patented Sept. 25, 1951 DETACHABLE STRAP AND CLASP FOR USE THEREVVITH John Carroll, J12, Providence, R. I., assignor to The Lorac Company, Inc., Providence, R. I., a corporation of Rhode Island Application July 7, 1948, Serial No. 37,394

2 Claims.

My invention relates to detachable straps, preferably comprising a flexible strap of a length to encircle a limb or body torso, or to join two article portions together, having a split therein dividing said strap into separable endsand clasp means for joining said strap ends together.

I am aware that others have provided clasps comprising a fixed jaw and a, movable latching jaw mounted on one strap end adapted to latch the opposite strap end thereto, but insofar as I am aware, most of these clasps have been arranged so that the jaws extend in axial relationship to the strap and thereby of necessity so that they may pivot to open position relative to each other, they have had to be made of substantial length.

An object of my invention is to provide clasp means in which both the fixed and movable jaws are arranged transversely of the strap so that sufficient length may be provided for their opening movement across the width of the strap, thereby permitting the clasp to be made of much less width or relative length in the strap, and I so modify the strap ends that one may be permanently secured to one side edge of the lower clasp jaw, and the other may be detachably secured to the other side edge of the lower clasp jaw, thereby providing a novel combination of modified clasp and strap ends for this purpose. With this construction, it is obvious that the clasp can be made so relatively narrow as to be substantially invisible in the strap, and where an ornamented strap is employed, may be ornamented to blend with the ornamentation in the strap due to its narrow width and the fact that means are provided for securement of the strap end at the extreme side edges of the clasp.

A further object of my invention, therefore, is to provide in a strap, clasp means therefor of such a narrow width that it may be either (1) hardly visible, or (2) may be readil ornamented to blend with the design of the strap. For this purpose, in the preferred embodiment of my invention I provide a cylindrical ear on either the strap end or on one side of the clasp, adapted to of the hook out of its transverse slot and suita able means for latching the movable jaw to the fixed jaw. It is apparent that with this feature, I provide an additional safety feature as I have not only provided a hook, but means to firmly lock the hook in attached position, so that it cannot be detachable from its slot.

A further feature of my invention resides in the fact that it is possible for the wearer to attach the strap, when employed as a bracelet, with her other hand alone, without outside aid.

Further features of my invention relate to the specific types of modifications of the strap ends and clasp to provide my improved strap.

A further feature of my invention resides in the fact that both the fixed jaw and the movable jaw of the clasp may each be formed from a single piece of fiat stock suitably shaped to provide the attaching means along each side edge thereof and the resilient latch, and my invention, therefore, further relates to the structural features of my improved strap ends and clasp.

These and such other objects of my invention as may hereinafter appear will be best understood from a description of embodiments thereof such as are shown in the accompanying drawmgs.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a plan view of a portion of a detachable strap constructed in accordance with my invention, with th clasp in a closed position.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the portion of the strap shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view like Fig. 1 showing the upper jaw moved to position to permit the strap end to be detached from its cooperating hook.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken along the line 55 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of my preferred embodiment of clasp.

Fig. '7 is a plan view of a modified embodiment of my invention showing the movable jaw of the clasp in open position, showing one strap end detached and illustrating wherein the strap ends have findings to provide their attaching means.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a further modification, wherein the permanently attaching ear is mounted on one strap end and the detachable hook mounted on the opposite strap end and both transverse slots are provided in lateral extensions from the fixed jaw of the clasp.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 99 of Fig. 8.

In the drawings, wherein like characters of reference generally indicate like parts throughout, 10, ID and I generally indicate detachable straps constructed in accordance with my invention. Said strap is made of flexible material which may be leather, fabric, etc., but preferably comprises ornamental metal or plastic jewelry such as the links in a chain which may be modified into many types of ornamental variations. Said flexible strap is preferably of a length to encircle a limb or a body torso or to join two article portions together, having a split l2 therein dividing said strap into the separable ends 14 and I6. Said strap i6, id or iii" may, therefore, comprise a belt, overshoe clasp, shoe clasp, etc., but as shown in the drawings, preferably comprises a necklace or bracelet. The strap end [4 has means [8 thereon adapted to cooperate with means on one side of the clasp to permanently secure it thereto and the other end [5 has means 22 thereon adapted to cooperate with means 24 on the opposite side of said clasp to detachably secure it thereto.

I also provide a clasp member 26 permanently secured to the strap end 14 and detachablysecurable to the strap end 16, comprising a lower jaw 23 having means on one side thereof to cooperate with said means [8 on the end of said first strap end H to permanently secure said strap end thereto and means 2 3 on the opposite side thereof to cooperate with said means 22 on said detachable strap end E6 to detachably secure it thereto. I also provide an upper jaw 38 pivotally mounted at one end 32 of said lower jaw, pivotal to a locking position extending over said lower jaw and I also provide means 34 on the free end of said upper jaw and means 36 on the underlying opposite end of said lower jaw for detachably latching said upper jaw to said lower jaw with said upper jaw so inhibiting detachment of said detachable strap end it from engagement with its cooperating means 2 on the side of the clasp.

As stated, I have provided means [8 on the end of the strap end I i adapted to cooperate with means 28 on one side of the clasp to permanently secure it thereto, in all embodiments shown one of said means comprising a transverse slot and the other of said means comprising a closed cylindrical ear passing through said slot. In the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1-6 and inthe embodiment shown in Fig. 7, the means on the strap end l4 comprises a transverse slot H3, but in the embodiment shown in Figs. 8 and 9 said means are reversed and said attaching means [8 on the strap end comprises a closed cylindrical ear I8 and the cooperating means 20 on the side edge of the clasp comprises a transverse slot 20 in a lateral extension 31 from the adjacent side edge of said clasp means.

In all embodiments, the other of said ends, i. e., the detachable end l6, has means 22 adapted to cooperate with means 24 on the opposite side of said clasp to detachably secure it thereto, one of said means comprising a transverse slot and the other of said means comprising a partially cylindrical hook detachably engageable within said slot, in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1-6 and in the embodiment shown in Fig 7, said means 22 in said strap end l8 eomprising'the transverse slot 22 and said cooperating means 24 on the opposite side edge of said clasp means comprising the partially cylindrical hock 24.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 8 and 9, however, these means are also reversed, the means 24 on the side edge of the clasp comprises a lateral extension 39, having the transverse slot 24' therein and the cooperating means 22 on the detachable strap end l8 comprising a partially cylindrical hook 22 detachably engageable within said slot 24.

In all embodiments shown, the latching means on the opposite end of said lower jaw comprises a protuberance 36 having a cylindrical outer surface 38 and the cooperating latching means 34 on the free end of the upper jaw comprises a resilient do'wnturned slightly inwardly bent tip pivotable over said cylindrical outer surface 38 of said protuberance 36 to lock said pivotal upper jaw to said lower jaw with said upper jaw inhibiting detachment of said second strap end from engagement with its cooperating mean on the side of said clasp.

As shown in the embodiment shown in Figs. l-5, I preferably provide a relatively flat portion IS in each strap end [4 and I6, having a respective attaching slot 18 or 22 therein, which fiat portion #9 comprises a portion of the strap itself as in'the chain link embodiment shown in Figs. 1-5. If desired, however, particularly if a heavy or irregular type of chain be used, said flat portion may comprise a fiat finding or plate 19 which may have its inner respective end 2| suitably soldered to a portion of the respective strap end such as the disc 40' shown, to have a portion project inwardly thereof, having the respective slot G8 or 32 therein. As Stated, in the embodiment shown in Figs. 8-9, the ear I8 may form a permanent part of the strap end and the slot 20' may-be formed in the extension 31 projecting laterally from one side of said lower jaw 28 and the attaching means 22' may comprise a partially cylindrical hook 22' projecting inwardly from said'strap end l6 adapted to engage the transverse slot 24 in the extension 39 projecting laterally from the opposite side of said lower jaw 28.

In the embodiments shown, the lower jaw is provided with a central rearwardly projecting pivot ear 4-4. The upper jaw is provided with the downwardly extending pivot wall 46 having the spaced pivot ears 48 at each end thereof and it is obvious that when the pivot cars 48 and 44 be brought in. alignment, a suitable pivot pin 50 may be inserted therein to pivotally mount the pivot wall 46 of said upper. jaw 30 on said lower jaw 26. The upper jaw 38 has the top portion 52 projecting forwardly at right. angles from said pivot wall and in the embodiment shown has at its free end the resilient down-turned lip 53 slightly inwardly bent at its tip 54 to. be pivotal over said cylindrical outer surface 38. of said protuberance 36. If desired to assist in raising the tip 54 from contact with the lower outer surface of the protuberance or cylindrical roll 35, the movable jaw may be provided with a nicked up lifting lug 56 at the free end of the top portion 52 thereof. It is obvious that in practice when the upper jaw 30 is clamped downwardly to latched position that the top portion 52. of the upper jaw will substantially abut the upper portion of the hook 24 to positively prevent the strap end I6 from being removed from the hook, thereby providing a double safety latch feature, including not only a hook but also means to retain the hook in latched position.

36, having the cylindrical outer surface 38, and the inwardly bent tip 54 of the free wall 34 of said movable jaw 39, that any other suitable type of latch means may be employed t positively latch the upper jaw 39 to said lower jaw and that. any suitable type of means other than that shown, may be provided to pivotally mount the upper jaw on the lower jaw.

It is obvious, however, that with the construction shown, both the lower jaw and upper jaw may be readily made out of two pieces of fiat stock, with the cylindrical ear 20 and the partially cylindrical hook 24 projecting laterally from the lower jaw as extensions from each side thereof, the pivot ear 64 projecting as an extension at the pivot end thereof and the proturberance 36 projecting as an extension from the free end thereof, and it is obvious that said car 44, cylindrical ear 2!], cylindrical hook 24 and cylindrical protuberance 35 may be readily rolled to assume their desired shapes. It is also obvious that the upper jaw 30 may be similarly made from a piece of fiat stock, with both th pivot wall 46 and latching wall 36 being formed as extensions from the fiat top portion 52 thereof, with the pivot ears 48 being formed as further extensions from the pivot wall 45 thereof and that said various parts may be bent into the configurations desired in use with the lifting lug 56 suitably nicked up therefrom.

It is apparent that to attach, it is merely necessary to raise the movable jaw 30 from the lower jaw 28 by inserting the fingernail or other instrument underneath the lug 56, permitting the slot 22 in the free end IE to be lifted from the hook 24 on the side of the lower jaw 28 to a detached position, as shown in Figs. 3 or 7, and that in order to attach, after the upper jaw is moved to a raised position, the slot 22 may be inserted through the hook 24 and the movable upper jaw pushed to a closed position locking the strap ends together.

As stated, due to the feature of mounting my improved clasp transversely of the length of the strap, I am able to provide a clasp which may be of such small width as to be hardly noticeable in the length of the bracelet and a clasp which may be suitably ornamented to readily blend with the design of the strap.

It is apparent, therefore, that I have provided a novel type of detachable strap and clasp for use therewith, with the advantages described above.

What I claim is:

1. A clasp member for securing strap ends to each side thereof, one strap end being permanently secured to on side of said clasp and the other strap end being detachably secured to the other side of said clasp, comprising a lower jaw having a closed cylindrical ear on one side thereof adapted to pass through a slot in said first strap end to permanently secure said strap end thereto and a partially cylindrical hook on the opposite side thereof detachably engageable with a transverse slot on the opposite strap end, an upper movable locking jaw pivotally mounted on an end of said lower jaw pivotal to a locking position extending over said lower jaw and means on the free end of said upper jaw and complementary free end of said lower jaw for detachably latching the upper jaw to said lower jaw, with said upper jaw inhibiting detachment of the strap from the hook member.

2. A clasp member for securing strap ends to each side thereof, one strap end being permanently secured to one side of said clasp and the other strap end being detachably secured to the other side of said clasp, comprising a lower jaw having a closed cylindrical ear on one side thereof adapted-t0 pass through a slot in said first strap end to permanently secure said strap end thereto and a partially cylindrical hook on the opposite side thereof detachably engageable with a transverse slot on the opposite strap end, and a protuberance on one end thereof having a cylindrical outer surface and an upper movable locking jaw pivotally mounted on the opposite end of said lower jaw pivotal to a locking position extending over said lower jaw, having a resilient down-turned slightly inwardly bent tip pivotal over said cylindrical outer surface of said protuberance to lock said pivotal upper jaw to said lower jaw, with said upper jaw inhibiting detachment of the strap from the hook member.

JOHN CARROLL, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 537,934 Palton Apr. 23, 1895 574,484 Johnson Jan. 5, 1897 674,494 Brott May 21, 1901 784,891 Saart Mar. 14, 1905 1,384,812 Swartz July 19, 1921 1,578,940 Wacha Mar. 30, 1926 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 7,201 Great Britain Mar. 25, 1912 7,971 Great Britain Apr. 2, 1910 550,687 France Dec. 20, 1922 607,148 France Mar. 23, 1926 

